Consett were unlucky to go down 3-2 to Synthonia in an entertaining game at Central Avenue. Having lost 2-0 to the same opponents at Belle Vue Park in a closely fought contest a week earlier, The Steelmen once again fought hard to gain something from the game but were beaten by a late goal after twice coming from behind.

Consett were without the suspended Johnny Brown and Gareth McKenna, while Tony Halliday was injured and Steve Smith was also unavailable. So David Gray made his first appearance of the season at right back with Lee Suddes also returning after injury.

Synthonia started the game brightly and should have taken the lead in the second minute. Wood did well to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Radigan who looked certain to score but Darren Grimes cleared his effort off the line. But the home side did take the lead after 13 minutes. Wood was again involved as it was his cross that found its way to Wells who volleyed in from eight yards.

Synners continued to press with O’Gorman and Flanagan forcing saves out of Consett custodian Stuart Kelly while Radigan shot just over from 25 yards. Consett gradually worked their way into the game towards half time and they should have levelled seven minutes before the interval. Colin McLeod, having received the ball from a throw in, got a shot in which Mohan parried but the ball went straight to Chris Hodgson whose shot was then brilliantly blocked by the keeper when it looked a certain goal.

But The Steelmen did equalise in first half stoppage time. They were awarded a free-kick on the left edge of the penalty area and Andrew Thompson curled his shot round the wall and into the bottom corner. But Billingham retook the lead almost immediately, again the goal coming from a set piece situation. Radigan floated in a free-kick and with the Consett defence static Ripley got the final touch.

Half Time Synthonia 2-1 Consett

Synners almost went two up just after the break when, following a good run, Wood shot across the face of goal. But it was Consett who struck next to level the scores after 53 minutes. McLeod’s pass released Lee Suddes and he cut in from the right before firing an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Both sides were now looking for the win with Consett’s Thompson shooting just over from long range while at the other end Wells forced Kelly to make a superb diving save.

But the winning goal came Billingham’s way with eight minutes to go in the cruellest of fashions. Substitute Swales’ attempted cross was deflected off Thompson and crept in at the foot of the post despite Kelly’s desperate attempt to keep the ball out. The Steelmen though kept battling to the end and almost snatched an equaliser in the last minute, but McLeod was foiled by another good save from Mohan.

Full Time Synthonia 3-2 Consett

ANDREW PEARSON